Method and system for a multi-frequency rail car antenna array

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and systems utilizing a multiple-frequency antenna array system. The multiple-frequency antenna array system includes a first set of broadband elements that allows the establishment of a first cellular data communication session and a concurrent second cellular data communication session. The system also includes a second set of broadband elements that allow the establishment of a first local area wireless network communication session and a concurrent second local area wireless network communication session. Further, there is a broadband element configured to receive a global positioning signal. In addition, the multiple-frequency antenna array system is coupled to a vehicle. A method for establishing multi-frequency communication sessions using an antenna array is also presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multiple-frequency antenna array system, comprising:
 a plurality of first broadband elements configured to establish a first cellular data communication session and a concurrent second cellular data communication session, wherein the first cellular data communication session is independent of the concurrent second cellular data communication session; 
 a plurality of second broadband elements configured to establish a first local area wireless network communication session and a concurrent second local area wireless network communication session, wherein the first local area wireless network communication session and the concurrent second local area wireless network communication session are established based on ownership of one or more access points, and wherein one or more data communication links through the one or more access points are established based on throughput or cost; and 
 a third broadband element configured to receive a global positioning signal; 
 wherein the multiple-frequency antenna array system is coupled to a vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cellular data communication session is over a first cellular network and the concurrent second cellular data communication session is over a second cellular network. 
     
     
       3. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , wherein the first local area wireless network communication session is over a first local area wireless network and the concurrent second local area wireless network communication session is over a second local area wireless network. 
     
     
       4. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , further comprising a singular roof-top enclosure. 
     
     
       5. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 4 , wherein the singular roof-top enclosure comprises a single radome cover that includes the first plurality of broadband elements and the second plurality of broadband elements, a detachable cable harness, and a detachable adapter skirt. 
     
     
       6. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 5 , wherein the detachable adapter skirt is configured for a specific rail car and a specific mounting location. 
     
     
       7. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 4 , wherein the singular roof-top enclosure is less than 3.5 inches in height and 10 inches in width. 
     
     
       8. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first broadband elements comprises four cellular antenna elements. 
     
     
       9. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 8 , wherein the four cellular antenna elements are configured to concurrently support four 4G Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) data communication sessions. 
     
     
       10. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 9 , wherein each 4G MIMO data communication session of the four 4G MIMO data communication sessions is configured to be over either a first cellular network or over a second cellular network. 
     
     
       11. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second broadband elements comprises six local area wireless network antenna elements. 
     
     
       12. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 11 , wherein the six local area wireless network antenna elements are configured to concurrently support two 3×3 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) local area wireless network communication sessions. 
     
     
       13. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 12 , wherein each local area wireless network communication session of the two 3×3 MIMO local area wireless network communication sessions is configured to be over either a first local area wireless network or over a second local area wireless network. 
     
     
       14. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first broadband elements is configured to establish cellular data communication sessions concurrently with local area wireless network communication sessions established by the plurality of second broadband elements. 
     
     
       15. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first broadband elements is configured to communicate over a 698-960, 1710-2170, and 2400-2700 MHz bandwidth. 
     
     
       16. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second broadband elements is configured to communicate over a 2400-2485 and 4900-5935 MHz bandwidth. 
     
     
       17. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to allocate communications amongst the plurality of first broadband elements and the plurality of second broadband elements. 
     
     
       18. The multiple-frequency antenna array system of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to prioritize allocating of communications to the plurality of second broadband elements over the first plurality of broadband elements. 
     
     
       19. A method of multiple-frequency communications, comprising:
 establishing a first cellular data communication session and a concurrent second cellular data communication session utilizing a plurality of first broadband elements in a multiple-frequency antenna array, wherein the first cellular data communication session is independent of the concurrent second cellular data communication session; 
 establishing a first local area wireless network communication session and a concurrent second local area wireless network communication session utilizing a plurality of second broadband elements in the multiple-frequency antenna array, wherein the first local area wireless network communication session and the concurrent second local area wireless network communication session are established based on ownership of one or more access points, and wherein one or more data communication links through the one or more access points are established based on throughput or cost; and 
 receiving a global positioning signal utilizing a third broadband element in the multiple-frequency antenna array; 
 wherein the multiple-frequency antenna array is coupled to a vehicle. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising enclosing the multiple-frequency antenna array in a singular roof-top enclosure. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the establishing of the first cellular data communication session and the concurrent second cellular data communication session comprises using up to four cellular antenna elements. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the establishing of the first local area wireless network communication session and the concurrent second local area wireless network communication session comprises using up to six local area wireless network antenna elements. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the establishing of the first cellular data communication session is over a first cellular network and the establishing of the concurrent second cellular data communication session is over a second cellular network. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the establishing the first cellular data communication session and the concurrent second cellular data communication session comprises utilizing a 698-960, 1710-2170, and 2400-2700 MHz bandwidth. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the establishing the first local area wireless network communication session and the concurrent second local area wireless network communication session comprises utilizing a 2400-2485 and 4900-5935 MHz bandwidth. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising allocating communications amongst the plurality of first broadband elements, the plurality of second broadband elements, and a combination of the plurality of first broadband elements and the plurality of second broadband elements. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26 , further comprising prioritizing allocating communications to the plurality of second broadband elements over the plurality of first broadband elements. 
     
     
       28. A method of multiple-frequency communications, comprising:
 establishing a first cellular data communication session and a concurrent second cellular data communication session utilizing a plurality of first broadband elements in a multiple-frequency antenna array, wherein the first cellular data communication session is independent of the concurrent second cellular data communication session; and 
 establishing a first local area wireless network communication session and a concurrent second local area wireless network communication session utilizing a plurality of second broadband elements in the multiple-frequency antenna array, wherein the first local area wireless network communication session and the concurrent second local area wireless network communication session are established based on ownership of one or more access points, and wherein one or more data communication links through the one or more access points are established based on throughput or cost, 
 wherein the multiple-frequency antenna array is coupled to a vehicle.